Radiator filling device



Dec. 11, 1934. H c MOUGEY ET AL 13835988 RADIATOR FILLING DEVICE Original Filed Sept. 22, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1934- H. c. MOUGEY ET AL RADIATOR FILLING DEVICE Original Filed Sept. 22, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q 3mm ./CZar. e: Z jar/1% Patented Dec. 11, 1934 UNITED STATES RADIATOR FILLING DEVICE Harry 0. Mougey, Detroit, Mich, andCharles R.

Short, Glermont, .Fla., assignors, by mesne assignments, to General Motors Corporation, De-

. troit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Original application September 22, I927, Serial No. 221,227. Divided and thisiapplicationJune 3,1932, Serial No. 615,086 Y 2 Claims. (01257-125) This invention relates to improvements in filling devices for radiators of the type which are commonly used in connection with cooling systems for internal combustion engines, and this application is a division of our co-pending application, Serial No. 221,227, filed September 22, 1927, now Patent No. 1,865,87 7, issued July 5, 1932. 7

An object of the invention is to provide a radiator filling device. which is so constructed that when the cooling system is filled with liquid, a space will automatically be left within the top of the radiator to provide for the expansion of the liquid in the cooling system when heated. This is especially desirable when anti-freeze solutions are being used in the cooling system, since when using an ordinary form of radiator filling device, if the liquid is poured into the radiator until it rises substantially to the top of the filling device, there is no space left in the radiator for expansion of the liquid when it becomes heated, and consequently when-this expansion occurs, a considerable amount ofthe anti-freeze solution is sometimes forced out through the overflow pipe.

With the above and other objects in view, "our invention will be more clearly understood by referring to the specification and accompanying drawings, in which: V

Figure 1 is a front view of a radiator partly in elevation, and partly insection, showing our improved form of filling device associated therewith.

Figure 2 is a sectional view, on a larger scale, of the filling device shown in Figure 1.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are views corresponding generally to Figure 2, but showing various modifled -forms of filling devices. I

Merely for purposes of illustration, our improved form of filling device has been shown in connection with a cross flow radiator, but it will be understood that it will be. just as applicable for use with vertical flow radiators. In the drawings, the reference numeral 10 indicates a radiatorlhaving acore portion 12 composed of horizontally extending water tubes or passages 36. These tubes orv passages communicate at one sideof the-radiator with an inlet chamber 16, and at the opposite side of the radiator with an outlet chamber 20.. A headerportion 21 extends across the top of the radiator above the :core 12, and, this header portion communioates at one end with the outlet chamber 20. The liquid in the radiator is withdrawn from the outlet chamber 20 through the conduit 38 tem is full. the' water expands andconsequently some of it is 1 i wastes the anti-freeze solution, but also is apt to having a squared opening 54 formed in it. Slidinfthe usual manner by the engine water pump (not shown) and after being forced by the latter through the water jacketed space around the engine cylinders where" it'becomes heated, the

cooling liquid is returned to the inlet chamber 16 of the radiator through the conduit 26, in order that it may flow through the tubes or passages 36 to i become cooled before returning to the engine. I

Itis considered desirable to keep the n0rmal liquid 'levelin the radiator slightly above the top of theradi'ator core so' 'that there will be space lei-tin the top oi the radiator for the cooling liquidto bedisplaced into as it'becomes heated and expands. Inthe ordinary radiator, it is customary for the operator to pour in cooling liquid until the levelof theliquid reaches the top of the filler opening-in order to be sure that the cooling sys- As 'soon as the engine becomes hot,

displaced-through the overflow pipe, since there 0 is no'space left for the liquid to be displaced into.

When the cooling system contains relatively expensive anti-freeze substances, such as glycerine or al-cohol-,'this is -veryundesirable as it not only change the percentage of the latter with respect to, the amount of water in the cooling system, and

'therebyperrnit the radiator or engine to become damaged by freezing.

To prevent this, e constructthe radiator fill- "ing device in sucha manner that an expansion space is automatically provided at the top of the radiator in the header portion" 21. Our improved form of filling device consists of a fillertube 50 which is secured in the top of the radiator and which extends downwardly into the header Portion to a point slightly above the top o-fthe radiator core 12. Secured in the tube is a support 52 ably'held in the opening 54 is a squared portion 0 56 iormed on a rod 58 which at its lower end is secured in any suitable manner to a washer 60.

-E'astened onthe rod above the support 52 isa stop 61 which limits the downward movement-0r the rod, The upper end of the rod is provided 45 the bottom of the tube 50 and the washer 60, and a similar gasket 68 is also adapted to be clamped between the top of the tube and cap 64. A sleeve '70 'is'support'ed concentrically with the tube 50 'and'is secured tothe bottom of the latter as at '72 inany suitable manner which will provide a water tight connection between the two parts. This sleeve extends upwardly to a point just below the top of the radiator header portion 21. A plurality of openings 74 is provided in the tube 50 just above the point where the sleeve-is securedto the tube. The usual overflow pipe 76 passes through the sleeve 70 and communicates with the interior of the tube 50.

When the cap 64 is removed, the rod 58, together with the washer 60 and the gasket '66, will drop downwardly until thestop- 61 1 comes into contact with the support 52; 'Liquid may then be poured into the tube 50 and will flow through the opening in the bottom of the tube into the radiator until the liquid, level reaches a poi t slightly above the top OfYthG. openings '74. As-

the only escape of the air in the radiator is then be trapped above this level and will automatically provide an expansion chamber in thetop of the header portion 21. Any additional liquid which ispoured into the tube 50 will merely rise in the latter, thereby indicating to the operator that the cooling system is filled to the properlevel. He will then replace the cap 64 and in doing so, will draw the gasket 66 and the washer. 60 up against the bottom of the tube. Thereafter, the only communication between the inside of thetube 50 and the expansion chamber is through the openings 74, but it will be appreciated that these openings are normally sealed by the liquid which is trapped in the bottom of the-,tube 50 and in the space between the sleeve 70 and the tube 50.

When the enginebecomes heated, the water in the cooling system will expand and will be displaced into the expansion chamber in the header portion 21. The trapped air which the expanding water displaces will be forced through the passage between the leeve 70' and the tube- 50, and through the; openings 74, forcing its Way through the liquid which is trapped inside the sleeve '70 or the tube 50, after which it may escape to the atmosphere through the overflow pipe 76. It will be readily seen that the level of the liquid in the header portion 21 would have to rise above the top of the sleeve 70 before any of the liquid could be forced out through the overflow pipe.

.This is quite unlikely as the header portion 21 is made large enough to provide an expansion space which will be of suflicientcapacity to take care of any expansion caused by ordinary increases in engine temperature.

Figure 3 shows a modified type of filling means in which a tubular member 80, having its lower end closed, is suspended from the top of the radiator. Secured to the bottom portion of this tube in any suitable manner is' a sleeve 82. Openings 84 are provided in the tubular member just above the point where the sleeve is secured to it. The upper end of the tubular member is provided with a tapered seat 86, and the filler cap 88 carries a stamped member 90 which is adapted to compress a gasket 92 against the tapered seat. A small vent pipe 94 is supported in the tubular member with its upper end terminating at a point on the tapered seat, and its lower end extending downwardlyto the point at which it is desired to keep the liquid level when the radiator is being filled. It will be seen that during the filling operation the upper end of the vent pipe the proper level.

from the interior of the radiator, and the air which is therefore trapped in the header portion 21 will automatically provide an expansion space in the top of the header portion. Any additional liquid which is poured into'the filler opening will merely rise in the tube 80, indicatingto the operator that the cooling system has been filled to When the cap 88 is secured in closing position over the filler opening, the gasket 92 will close the upper end of the vent pipe 94, and thereafter the only escape for pressure which may develop in the header portion is through the openings 84, the pressure forcing its way through the liquid which is trapped in the member 80 and between'the latter and the sleeve 82, after which the pressure may escape to the atmosphere through the overflow pipe 76.

In the construction shown in Figure 4, a U- shaped tube 96 is used instead of the sleeve 82,

as shown in Figure 3, but'the operation of this form of filling device would be thesameijas that describedabove, any pressure-developing in the header portion 21 escaping to the atmosphere by forcing its way through the liquid trapped in: the

cap 98 of conventional type serves to; compress a gasket 100 against a fiat surface 102 formed at the upper end of the tubularmember 80, thus closing the upper end of the vent pipe 94. It

will be obvious that the lower partof the filling device shown in Figure 5 may be constructedin either of the manners shown in Figures 3 and 4.

From the above it will be readily seen that our novel filling device will automatically provide an expansion space in the header portion of 1 the radiator without depending in any wayupon the operators judgment. The advantages .of this device are that it not only prevents the loss of cooling liquid and anti-freeze solution through the overflow pipe, but also prevents the escapeof vapor which may be formed by the heat of the engine, the vapor being retained withinthe header portion by the water seal, and consequently becoming condensed, and the condensate returning to the cooling system for-further use,

whereas in the ordinary type of radiator filling device, there is nothing to prevent the escape through the overflow pipe of any vapor which may be formed. It is thought from the foregoing taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings that the construction and operation ofthe devicewill be apparent to those skilled in the; art, and-that various changes in size,,shape and proportions and details of construction .may be made without departing from the'spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim: i 1. In combination with a radiator having a header portion located atits top, a filler tube supported in one of the walls of the header por- 2.;

tion and extending into said header? portion, a cap adapted to be secured in closing' position upon the top of said filler tube, a venteopenin-g associated with said filler tube through which air may escape from the interior of the container during the filling operation, the: bottom of said vent opening being located a substantial distance below the top of said headeriportion, said vent tom of said vent opening to prevent further cscape of air from the interior of the container, thereby automatically providing an expansion space in the top of said header portion, and means associated with said cap to close the top of the vent opening when the cap is secured in closing position upon said filler tube.

2. In combination with a radiator having a header portion located at its top, a filler tube supported in one of the walls of the container and extending into said header portion, an overflow pipe connected with said tube and establishing communication between the interior of the tube and the atmosphere, said tube having a vent opening associated therewith through which air may escape during the filling operation until the liquid reaches a predetermined level for the purpose of providing an expansion space within said header portion, said tube also having associated with it a second opening through which excessive pressure within said header portion may escape to the overflow pipe, and means associated with the second opening to provide a water seal serving to normally close said second opening.

3. In combination with a radiator having a header portion located at its top, a filler tube supported in one of the walls of the header portion and extending into said header portion, a cap adapted to be secured in closing position to the top of said filler tube, and means for closing the bottom end of the tube, said means being so interconnected with said cap that it will be moved to a position wherein it will close the bottom of said filler tube when the cap is applied in closing position to the top of the filler tube.

4. In combination with a radiator having a header portion located at its top, a filler tube supported in one of the walls of said header portion and extending into said header portion, means for sealing the bottom of said tube when the radiator is in use, said tube having a pressure relief opening formed in it near its lower end, and a conduit connected with the outside of said tube and communicating with said opening, said conduit extending upwardly to a point adjacent the top Wall of said header portion.

5. In combination with a radiator having a header portion located at its top, a filler tube supported in one of the walls of said header portion and extending into said header portion, means for sealing the bottom of the tube when the radiator is in use, said tube having a pressure relief Opening formed in it near its lower end, and a sleeve extending around but spaced from said tube, said sleeve being secured to said tube below the pressure relief opening and extending upwardly to a point near the top of said header portion.

6. In combination with a radiator having a header portion located at its top, a filler tube supported in one of the walls of the header portion and extending into said header portion, an overflow pipe communicating with the interior of said filler tube, and a trap portion associated with said tube below said overflow pipe, said trap portion being adapted to receive and hold some of the liquid poured into the radiator during the filling operation, said trap portion serving to normally prevent escape of vapors from the header portion to the overflow pipe, but permitting escape of excessively high pressures from said header portion through said overflow pipe.

7. In combination with a radiator having a header portion located at its top, a filler tube supported in one of the walls of the header portion and extending into said header portion, a trap portion associated with the lower end of said tube adapted to receive and hold some of the liquid poured into the radiator during the filling operation, a vent opening associated with said tube to permit the escape of air from the interior of the header portion during the filling operation, and means adapted to close the vent opening when the radiator is in use.

8. In combination with a radiator having a header portion located at its top, a filler tube supported in one of the walls of the header portion and extending into said header portion, said tube having an opening formed therein adjacent its lower end, a sleeve extending around but spaced from said tube, said sleeve being secured to said tube below said opening, a vent opening associated with said tube to permit escape of air from the interior of the header portion during the filling operation, and means adapted to close said vent opening when the radiator is in use.

HARRY C. MOUGEY. CHARLES R. SHORT. 

